Wife of Gambler Tries to Get Gambling Ads Banned in the UK

Posted by author February 3, 2025 Gambling

A woman in the UK is fighting to get gambling commercials banned after her husband racked up debts of £85,000 ($104,621).

Tracy O’Shaughnessy, from Merton, joined Haringey Council as it joined forces with the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA). The Coalition is now pushing for a national ban on gambling commercials to prevent more people from being affected.

Haringey Council has said that over 8,000 people have been harmed by gambling in the borough, extending out to over 25,000 other people directly impacted. Signing the commitment to push for a nationwide ban on gambling commercials in the country can pressure the Labour government to act accordingly.

During a UK Parliament debate in October 2024, Lisa Nandy, Secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “The Government are committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can continue to enjoy gambling as a pastime without the harms that can ensure from problem gambling.”

CEGA’s director, Will Prochaska, responded, “The evidence is clear, we can’t grow the gambling industry and protect people at the same time.” He added: “We urgently need Lisa Nandy to grasp this principle.”

A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson responded: “The industry has a clear task to further raise standards to ensure that gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm, and this work will be monitored closely.”

Haringey Council claims it pays more than £8m ($9.8m) in gambling-related costs yearly, factoring in homelessness, adult social care, unpaid rent, and healthcare. With the news of the council joining CEGA, Will Prochaska expressed: “Councils don’t have adequate powers to protect their citizens from the predatory gambling industry, but they do have a powerful voice nationally.” He added: “It’s important now that more councils follow Haringey’s lead.”

According to the UK Government, gambling commercials have “increased substantially” since the Gambling Act 2005 was established. A December 2023 report by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport found an “urgent need to better understand the effects of gambling advertising on the risk of harm.”

The Betting and Gaming Council now represents 90% of the country’s gambling industry. Its members must abide by the Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising, which was last updated in September 2023.

As part of the Labour Government’s 2024 Manifesto, the party promised to “reduce gambling-related harm” in the UK. Page 103 of the Change document outlines how: “Labour will reform gambling regulation, strengthening protections. We will continue to work with the industry on how to ensure responsible gambling.”

Haringey Council, backed by the CEGA, has opened a dialog regarding gambling commercials in the UK, which the current Labour government appears to support based on its promises.

In more world news, federal police in Brazil reject proposed land-based gambling bill.

Written By

Matt is a casino and sports betting expert with over two decades’ writing and editing experience. He loves getting into the nitty gritty of how casinos and sportsbooks really operate in order to make solid recommendations based on real experiences. His favourite games are blackjack and poker, and he loves watching NFL and soccer in his spare time.